THAI’s loss doubles in Q3

THAI’s loss doubles in Q3

BANGKOK: Thai Airways International (THAI) reported an operating loss of B3.69 billion in the third quarter, up 103% year-on-year from 2017.

Friday 9 November 2018, 10:02AM

The management of Thai Airways International last night (Nov 8) announced its doubled loss in the third quarter due to several factors. Photo: AJ Wood / file

THAI president Sumeth Damrongchaitham, who has pledge to cut and then eliminate the airline’s losses, blamed the bleak July-to-September financial results “partly” on natural disasters, decreasing numbers of Chinese tourists and rising oil prices.

Mr Sumeth said the loss came despite a 2.2% rise in total revenue of THAI and its subsidiaries – B47.95bn between July 1 and Sept 30, including income from passengers, excess baggage, freight and mail.

But operating costs hit B3.69bn, up B1.87bn compared with the same three-month period last year.

Passenger loads dropped slightly to 77.5%, compared with 78.2% in the corresponding period of 2017.

Mr Sumeth said the third quarter was normally the low season. At the same time, the national airline had to cancel many flights due to Typhoon Jebi that hit Japan, an earthquake in Hokkaido and Typhoon Mangkhut that struck Hong Kong. The decreasing number of Chinese tourists was also a shock to the bottom line.

He said that total expenses in the third quarter rose by 11.3% year-on-year, mostly due to rising fuel costs. But the quarterly report said non-fuel operating expenses increased by 5.5% year on year, a factor he said was “due mainly” to higher maintenance and overhaul costs, along with rising aircraft and spare part leases.

As of Sept 30, THAI’s total assets amounted to B277.61bn, down by 1.1% from the end of 2017. Total liabilities were B249.22bn, up 0.2% from the end of third quarter in 2017. As of Sept 30, the airline has 103 active aircraft, four more than the same period last year.

As of Sept 30, ThaiAir 103 aircrafts? Sure? Their list not comes further than 81 aircrafts. Among them 18 old B-747's. Age 19-20 years old. Get rid of the old B-747's. It will higher the present low occupation rate of 77%. with lesser fuel consuming newer aircrafts. Flying old B-747's on short 3-4 hours routes with occupation rate between 35-50 %, is great formule to loose money

Kurt |
09 November 2018 - 10:34:02

Time after time we see continues wrong managing of a thai airline. And that crying about why. Always blame the 'outside'.
Seen the fact that Singapore Airlines made this same Q3 a profit RISE of 13% ( has to handle same 'outside' factors) is saying enough. Let foreign managers put ThaiAir back on her feet/wings. This continues sad thai airline story down to the drain has to stop.